Quick to help

They also visited a nearby pub to make sure residents were okay, ensure they knew about the centre and to see if they needed any help. The centre remained open until midnight, when the police cordons were lifted.

Joy Clift-Hill, operations director, said: "Our volunteers and staff worked closely with the police, and acted quickly and professionally in both setting up and running the rest centre.

“They were on hand to help anyone affected by the incident, especially those who may have had nowhere else to shelter due to road restrictions."